The document provides an introduction to Git, a distributed version control system that addresses needs in large-scale open-source projects and offers capabilities for offline work. It contrasts Git with centralized version control, highlighting its benefits, challenges, and functionality within Visual Studio and TFS. The document also advises when to switch to Git and offers best practices for managing repositories.

1. Introduction to Git
Daniel Mann
Senior Software DevelopmentConsultant
InCycle Software
NewYork ▪ Seattle ▪ Montreal

2. Agenda
What is Git?
Overview of Centralized vs Distributed Version Control
Git in Visual Studio / TFS
Is It Right For Me?

3. What is Git?
- Distributed version control system
- Designed for the challenges of large-scale open-
source projects
- Supports fast, off-line work

4. Centralized Version Control
 One central code repository
 Requires a connection to perform most operations
 Check out
 Commit
 Merge
 Branch
 View History
 Can retrieve just the files you need
 Limited capability for offline work
 Conceptually simple

5. Distributed Version Control
 No central code repository
 Central repository is defined by convention
 Does not require a connection
 Can only retrieve an entire repository
 Higher learning curve

6. Centralized vs. Distributed
Central Server
Source
Code
Files FilesFiles PC 1 PC 2 PC 3
Repo
Remote Server
Repo
Repo Repo

7. Remote Server
Repo
PC 1
Repo
Distributed Version Control
Clone

8. Distributed Version Control
PC 1
Repository
Change 1
Change 2

9. Distributed Version Control
PC 1
Repository Commit
Branch
Merge
etcChange 1
Change 2
My Change

10. Distributed Version Control
PC 1
Repository
Remote Server
Repo
Pull Remote Changes
Change 1
Change 2
Change 3
Change 1
Change 2
My Change
Change 3
Change 1
Change 2
My Change
Change 3

11. Distributed Version Control
PC 1
Repository
Remote Server
Repo
Merge remote changes
with local changesChange 1
Change 2
My Change
Change 3
Change 1
Change 2
Change 3
Change 1
Change 2
My Change
Change 3
Change 4

12. Distributed Version Control
PC 1
Repository
Remote Server
Repo
Change 1
Change 2
Change 3
Change 1
Change 2
My Change
Change 3
Change 4
Push Local Changes
My Change
Change 4
Change 1
Change 2
My Change
Change 3
Change 4

13. Why Distributed?
 Work fully offline
 Encourages frequent commits
 Easy to switch work
 Powerful tools for viewing and rewriting history
 Increasingly popular

14. Why Not Distributed?
 Harder to use day-to-day
 Few non-OSS projects need the ability to rewrite
history
 Git does not handle binaries well
 Security is defined at the repository level

15. Git in Visual Studio
Works regardless
of your Git provider
…even against local repos.

16. Team Explorer

17. Team Explorer

18. Team Explorer

19. Team Explorer

20. First-class IDE support

21. Git in TFS
 Git and TFVC in the same project
 One TFVC repository
 Unlimited Git repository

22. Repository management

23. Web-based history

24. Web-based history

25. Code review via pull requests

26. Enforce quality via branch policies

27. Branch Policies
 Required automated build

28. Branch Policies
 Enforce requirement linking

29. Branch Policies
 Enforce code review

30. Should you make the switch?
Yes, if:
- You work offline frequently
- Your software is open-source
- You want to branch and merge frequently

31. Should you make the switch?
No, if:
- You never work offline
- Your software is closed-source
- Developers are productive and happy using
something else
- You require stringent code security

32. Best Practices
 Don’t Panic
 Do not put binaries in Git repositories!
 Manage binary dependencies via a package
manager
 Keep repos small (one repo == one application)
 Branch early, branch often. Don’t work directly on
master.
 Read the Docs!

33. /InCycleSoftware @InCycleSoftware /company/incycle-software incyclesoftware.com/blog/
Get started with Git!
For course/workshops overviews, see links below:
Course: Git Fundamentals–
http://incyclesoftware.com/course-git-fundamentals/
Course: Git in Team Foundation Server & VisualStudio -
http://incyclesoftware.com/course-git-in-team-foundation-server-visual-studio/
Workshop: Git Migration–
http://incyclesoftware.com/workshop-git-migration/
Toschedule a courseor workshop, emailus atinfo@incyclesoftware.com or call1-800-565-0510